The Flooding Crisis in South Asia
Pakistan is facing unprecedented conditions as a significant portion of the country has remained underwater for the past two weeks, turning villages into islands and homes into ruins. According to the New York Times, record-breaking floods have been occurring since June, leaving Pakistanis completely submerged and hundreds of villages without clean resources.
This devastating crisis has left 1,500 dead (nearly half of whom are children) and displaced millions from their homes. It will take three to six months for the floodwater to recede, but 33 million people across South Asia will continue to face the devastating impacts caused by the heavy monsoon rains and glacial melt that occurred in Pakistan.
Scientists warn that this catastrophic flood is a consequence of the climate crisis. In an analysis from the World Weather Attribution Initiative, data showed that climate change may have increased rainfall intensity in Pakistan by up to 50%. The study also found the chance of floods to this scale in years to come is only 1%. While there are limitations to how much data analysts can determine about the role of climate change in this flooding, it’s clear that Pakistan’s weather patterns are inconsistent with years past. The two provinces hit the hardest by monsoons, Sindh and Balochistan, have experienced variability in recent rain patterns and increasing heat waves. Pakistan accounts for less than 1% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions but is facing the consequences of other country’s actions.
The most vulnerable in this crisis are Pakistan’s children, easily susceptible to dangerous diseases and in need of the most support to survive. With malaria, dengue fever, and water-borne diseases rampant across the flood zones, thousands of children are already facing dangerous conditions, unable to receive medical attention. With an already malnourished and health-stricken population throughout the region, this could lead to further consequences in South Asia.
Despite over $33 billion in damages caused by the flooding, Pakistanis are not receiving the support or resources they need to recover from a disaster of this proportion. They do not feel like the government is providing aid and must rely on themselves to survive. Due to the dangerous water levels, power has been shut off as a safety measure while living conditions continue to worsen. And as prices throughout the country continue to rise, obtaining food is not guaranteed. Some survivors must risk swimming through the infested waters to land that has not been impacted by the floods.
Thousands of displaced Pakistanis are in desperate need of food, shelter, clean drinking water, and medicine. Children and families battling disease are living on the streets, surviving one day at a time.
If you are able to help here are some resources taking action to help those facing the flood impacts in South Asia:
Donate to UNICEF. In the provinces hardest hit by flooding, UNICEF will deliver food, hygiene kits, and clean water. It will also set up learning centers for Pakistani children and provide emergency and prenatal care for women across the country, including immunization and psychological support.
Donate to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. They will distribute sanitary products, blankets, sleeping mats, and portable shelters to those displaced by the flooding.
Donate to Save the Children. This organization will provide emergency aid to children in Pakistan by providing food, supplies, and education throughout the flooded regions.
Donate to CARE. CARE is a non-government organization that is currently distributing goods and services to displaced Pakistanis, including tents, tarps, latrine kits, and menstrual products.